If you think back, you can probably remember the first time you saw a Polaroid Instant camera.

Once the most innovative photography product on the market, the iconic Polaroid Instant camera has long since been replaced by more modern and convenient technologies like digital cameras and camera phones. But after discontinuing production of its Instant film in 2008, Polaroid is now looking to shake up the photogrophy market once again, and reinvent itself in the digital age.

The company today opened its first brick-and-mortar Polaroid Fotobar store, which will be dedicated to helping people transform photos saved on their smartphones into tangible artwork that can be hung on a wall or displayed on a desk. Located in Delray Beach, Fla., the 2,000 square-foot store takes design queues from Apple's retail locations, boasting sleek, modern lines and inviting workstations outfitted with Mac computers. The store, which has been in development for the past year, will serve as a model for nine additional locations planned this year, including New York, Las Vegas, and Boston.

"When I ask people people to show me their favorite photo on their phone, and then ask them if photo that lives on a wall, desk, or shelf outside the phone the answer is always no," Polaroid Fotobar CEO Warren Struhl (right), told PCMag. "That really upsets me."

Visitors to the store can wirelessly upload photos from their smartphone or tablet to one of the store's bar-top workstations. From there, customers can jazz up their photos with filters, correct the contrast and brightness, and fix red-eye.

Once an image is perfected, users can have it printed on materials like canvas, metal, acrylic, wood, and even bamboo, or choose from a variety of framing options. Products are then handcrafted and can be shipped worldwide to a customer within 72 hours, Polaroid said.

Struhl said he wants Fotobar stores to be at "the epicenter" of the society's obsession with digital photography. Stores will feature a multi-purpose room, which will host free photography classes, studio portraits, private parties, and other events.

PCMag recently spoke with Struhl to find out what people can expect from Fotobar stores, get some tips for creating the best photo project, and ask his thoughts on the 3D printing phenomenon.

PCMag: When and how did the idea for Fotobar come about?Warren Struhl: Being an entrepreneur for 25 years, I often notice human behavior shifts. What I noticed was everyone around me taking pictures, and when I asked people if those pictures that they were taking, particularly their most favorite ones, were ever made into something for a wall, desk, or shelf the answer was no. Then I realized I needed to do something about it.

Which Fotobar products do you think people will be most excited about? WS: My favorite happens to be the acrylic ones, and the metal. We are really just in the beginning phases of providing exciting materials as an option for customers. We think we have picked a great, broad array of products at different price points, but you'll see lots of other things in the future that we are constantly testing every day in our factory.

Can you give us some insight into some of the other items you're testing? In the future, will you be offering other items like calendars, note pads, and photo books?WS: We are in the "your best picture" business. We are also in the art business. We want to combine your best pictures with art. We are not currently interested in selling mugs, mouse pads, and t-shirts. We want to offer, and what we believe people want, are products for walls, desks, and shelves.

So the new products will essentially be prints on different materials? Is that what you're testing? WS: Yes. [Different] materials, looks, sizes, configurations.The Fotobar stores are all about helping people "unlock" photos trapped on their phones and computers.

Smartphone photos aren't always the highest resolution. How do you ensure customers are going to get clear, crisp-looking photo project?WS: We cannot take a bad photo and make it into a great photo on one of our products. We can take a good photo and make it better. We have technology in-house to improve photo image quality. That being said, the quality of camera phones today is dramatically different than they were one or two years ago. The quality that you can get on a 5- or now 8-megapixel camera is staggering.

Do you have any tips for creating the best looking photo project?WS: Because film doesn't cost any money anymore – take as many pictures as possible of people and things, and experiment. Over time, you'll learn how to find the best product possible.

What type of assistance will people be able to get when working on a project at the Fotobar store? WS: We have in the store trained 'fototenders' and they are experienced photogrophers, experienced in photo manipulation and can help you with any need you possibly have no matter what level of a photographer you may be.

Why would someone go to a Fotobar store instead of just ordering a photo project through Shutterfly or one of the many other photo sites out there?WS: It will be a fun place to be.People still like fun. At the same time, you'll be able to touch and feel the products that you're going to hang up on your will before you buy it.

How is your retail approach similar or different from companies like Apple and Microsoft?WS: You know, it doesn't really differ much from them. Apple has paved the way. I've become obsessed with what Steve Jobs created in the retail world. I thank him for educating me about taking retail to a different level and we believe we are going to create another unique place that people want to go – whether it be [located] at a mall or street location.

Will there be an option to create and order projects on the Fotobar website as well?WS: You can order on www.polaroidfotobar.com right now. We just turned it on, and you can order from it right now.

How you plan to keep people coming back to the store? WS: I'm certain that once they put their first product on the wall, desk, or shelf they will come back, and they'll come back soon.

What do you think of the 3D printing phenomenon?WS: We are studying 3D printing. There's a lot of great innovation, and it is part of the pipeline of ideas and processes that we will be showing at upcoming stores.

What's your first memory of the Polaroid brand?WS: The first time I can remember, the earliest experience with a Polaroid is when I was at sleep away camp. I was six years old, and my parents came up for visiting day and were clicking away pictures of me and my friends. And I remember how much fun we had creating our own social network of pictures amongst my friends in my bunk that year.

About the Author

Angela has been a PCMag reporter since January 2012. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a reporter for SC Magazine, covering everything related to hackers and computer security. Angela has also written for The Northern Valley Suburbanite in New Jersey, The Dominion Post in West Virginia, and the Uniontown-Herald Standard in Pennsylvania. She ... See Full Bio

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